Month: June 2017

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2017

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is looking forward to working with the provincial government’s Cabinet Committee on Jobs to grow the clean technology sector in the province.

Premier Dwight Ball announced this morning that his government was partnering with industry in technology sectors to foster private sector employment and economic growth throughout the province. NEIA will lead the Cabinet Committee’s work relating to clean technology.

‘Clean technology’ refers to products, processes, and services that improve on environmental performance in support of sustainable development and clean growth. “Practically speaking, the use of clean technology can mean improving efficiency, reducing wastes, and/or mitigating the environmental risks of business activity,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director.

“Every industry has an impact on the environment in one way or another, and clean technology can be applied and found in all of them,” says Hanley. “From oil and gas, to mining, to aquaculture, to energy, to fisheries, etc. there are always ways to find new efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. This presents enormous opportunities for the creation of new products, processes, and services within our industries here in this province that can be exported worldwide.”

Hanley notes that the development and adoption of clean technologies are important components in Canada’s efforts to meet its climate change and environmental objectives, creating opportunities for local firms. NEIA launched its CleanTechNL initiative last week, which will assist in quantifying the size of the sector in the province, and help to connect those seeking to adopt clean technologies within the province with those who can provide it. “Our CleanTechNL initiative aims to drive a greater awareness of what clean technology actually is, and how we can leverage it towards economic development of our industries and regions,” says Hanley. More information on NEIA’s CleanTechNL initiative can be found at www.CleanTechNL.ca.

Hanley says that action is required from a number of government departments towards the support of clean technology, and that bringing these stakeholders together through a cabinet committee to work in collaboration with industry is a positive approach. “NEIA is looking forward to working with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador towards the development of a plan to pursue clean technology opportunities.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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For Immediate Release
June 21, 2017

ST. JOHN’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is launching a new initiative to create a greater awareness in Newfoundland and Labrador about the clean technology being developed in the province, and also the growth opportunities it affords businesses.

‘Clean technology’ refers to products, processes, and services that improve on environmental performance in support of sustainable development and clean growth. “Practically speaking, the use of clean technology can mean improving efficiency, reducing wastes, and/or mitigating the environmental risks of business activity,” says Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Clean technology is prevalent in all of Newfoundland and Labrador’s key industries, and can contribute to a firm’s productivity and competitiveness in almost any business setting.”

“The development and/or adoption of clean technologies are important components in Canada’s efforts to meet its climate change and environmental objectives,” says Hanley. “There are a variety of supports available enabling businesses to get involved, creating an enormous opportunity for firms in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our CleanTechNL initiative aims to drive a greater awareness of what clean technology actually is, and how we can leverage it towards economic development of our industries and regions.”

NEIA’s initiative will include representatives from the association meeting with business communities throughout the province to discuss opportunities associated with clean technology, a website which will feature the successes of businesses who have developed or adopted clean technologies, and the creation of a directory of clean technology products and services available in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Our CleanTechNL Directory will help connect those seeking to adopt clean technologies within the province with those who can provide it,” says Hanley. Hanley noted that the directory would be provided to procurement officials, engineers, architects, consultants, and others who could incorporate local technologies in to their planning. “There are a wide variety of stakeholders who have a mandate to incorporate clean technologies in to their activities, whether that be for economic or sustainability reasons. We believe the directory will help generate a greater awareness of what is available from our local firms.”

NEIA is currently reaching out to businesses throughout the province to help build the directory. Businesses can self-identify their products and services as being clean technology, and sign up to appear in the directory for free, at www.CleanTechNL.ca.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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For Immediate Release
June 13, 2017

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has released a study identifying the supply chain associated with offshore wind energy development, and analyzing the capacity within the province to meet development requirements.

“There are many similarities between the needs of an offshore oil and gas industry, and those of an offshore wind energy industry,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “This was apparent to us last September, while leading a trade mission to Hamburg and the largest wind energy exhibition in the world.” Hanley said the exhibition featured firms providing many of the same products and services found in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Though the similarities were obvious, we wanted to begin to quantify that by engaging in a study.”

The study was preceded by a ‘Request for Information’ from NEIA for firms in the province to self-identify their relative capabilities in offshore wind energy. Emerging from this process, complemented by research, were strengths in areas of direct importance to offshore wind energy development, such as: geotechnical services; health and safety; research and education; environmental engineering and consulting; ocean technologies; monitoring and modelling; legal expertise; etc.

The report summarizes that Newfoundland and Labrador’s 30-year history operating in offshore environments provides a solid foundation for support of any future offshore wind energy industry.

“As the cost of renewable energy development continues to decrease, and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions continues to increase, we believe that new offshore wind energy projects on this side of the Atlantic Ocean are likely,” said Hanley. “With the expertise we have developed through our offshore oil and gas industry, we are well-positioned to participate in those developments – if we are adequately prepared.”

“The possibility represents an opportunity for our firms to diversify their activities, and some proactive investigation is prudent,” said Hanley. “How Newfoundland and Labrador can participate in offshore wind energy development, whether it be off our own coastline or elsewhere in the region, merits further study and is deserving of an open discussion with stakeholders.”

The study can be downloaded here. Hanley says NEIA will continue working on behalf of its members to quantify opportunities and challenges. Any firms interested in joining NEIA’s Working Group to engage in discussions on offshore wind energy are encouraged to contact NEIA.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190